"Witold Maliszewski’s String Quintet in d minor, Op.3 for two
violins, viola and two cellos appeared in 1904. This quintet is sure to be of
interest with its beautiful melodic ideas, which are cleverly and artistically
presented. The composer shows a fine feeling for creating gorgeous tonalities
and has written grateful parts for each of the instruments which present no
great technical difficulties so that it can be warmly recommended for
performance even to amateurs. Classical in feel, it is in the middle movements,
Andante and Scherzo that the composer uses Russian folk melodies. The main theme
of the opening Allegro is genial and appealing while the second charms by virtue
of its piquant rhythm. There is an extensive development which despite its
length holds the listener’s interest. The second movement, an atmospheric
Andante sostenuto, has the feel of a Legende and employs tonal combinations that
are of great beauty. If this were not enough, there is a particularly impressive
middle section. Next comes a Scherzo which is a fleet Russian folk dance. The
lovely and melancholic trio section is a slower Andantino. A magnificent finale,
Allegro risoluto, tops off this excellent quintet. The splendid main subject is
powerful and full of forward energy. A canonic second theme is noteworthy for
its unusual rhythm and is followed by a broad, aristocratic lyrical
melody.”—–the famous critic Wilhelm Altmann writing in his Chamber Music
Handbook.

Witold Maliszewski (1873-1939) was born in the town of
Mohyliv-Podilskyi,
then part of Russian Poland now located in Ukraine. His initial studies were at
the Imperial Conservatory in Tiflis (now Tbilisi) with Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov. He then attended the St.
Petersburg Conservatory where he studied with Rimsky-Korsakov and Glazunov. In
1908, he obtained the position of conductor of the Odessa Symphony Orchestra. He
was active in Odessa until 1920 and was a founder and first director of the
Odessa Conservatory. Due to the Russian Revolution, he moved to Warsaw in 1920
where he held several positions, including Professor of Composition at the
Warsaw Conservatory. He composed in most genres and his chamber music was
held in particularly high regard, winning several competition prizes.

Here is a top notch string quintet from the Russian
Romantic school. It has been out of print for
nearly a century. Certainly it should not be missed by amateurs but
professionals can count on it being a success in the concert hall where it is
sure to be well received.

In addition, we are pleased to offer this
Quintet in a version for 2 Violins, Violas, Cello and Bass.
Our bass part was
made by Anthony Scelba, noted bass soloist, Professor of Music and Former Director of
the Concert Artists Program of Kean University. Professor Scelba has created an
idiomatic bass part that adds breadth and clarity to the timbral spectrum of the
work, making it a welcome addition to the double bass chamber music repertoire.